TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: We’re going way back today to the very start of the Scientology movement, in the weeks and months after L. Ron Hubbard’s book ‘Dianetics’ was first published. New documents show us who went crazy for this book, and who were among the first to denounce it! [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“We are making Clears these days in many cases so fast that Clearing Course bracelet numbers are jumping up by the thousands per month. We are also finding that
some old Dianetic pcs had gone Clear and the auditors didn’t notice. Incredibly enough, sometimes on a next life basis we are running into Dianetic Clears from 1949 and ‘50 so even those auditors were better than they thought they were. So we’re not only making new ones we’re finding old ones—such is the power of NED.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1978
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THE PROSECUTION OF DANNY MASTERSON
We first broke the news of the LAPD’s investigation of Scientology celebrity Danny Masterson on rape allegations in 2017, and we’ve been covering the story every step of the way since then. At this page we’ve collected our most important links as Danny faces a potential sentence of 45 years to life in prison. NOW WITH TRIAL INDEX.
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THE PODCAST: How many have you heard?
[1] Marc Headley [2] Claire Headley [3] Jeffrey Augustine [4] Bruce Hines [5] Sunny Pereira [6] Pete Griffiths [7] Geoff Levin [8] Patty Moher [9] Marc Headley [10] Jefferson Hawkins [11] Michelle ‘Emma’ Ryan [12] Paulette Cooper [13] Jesse Prince [14] Mark Bunker [15] Jon Atack [16] Mirriam Francis [17] Bruce Hines on MSH
— SPECIAL: The best TV show on Scientology you never got to see
[1] Phil Jones [2] Derek Bloch [3] Carol Nyburg [4] Katrina Reyes [5] Jamie DeWolf
— The first Danny Masterson trial and beyond
[18] Trial special with Chris Shelton [19] Trial week one [20] Marc Headley on the spy in the hallway [21] Trial week two [22] Trial week three [23] Trial week four [24] Leah Remini on LAPD Corruption [25] Mike Rinder 2022 Thanksgiving Special [26] Jane Doe 4 (Tricia Vessey), Part One [27] Jane Doe 4 (Tricia Vessey), Part Two [28] Claire Headley on the trial [29] Tory Christman [30] Bruce Hines on spying [31] Karen de la Carriere [32] Ron Miscavige on Shelly Miscavige [33] Karen de la Carriere on the L’s [34] Mark Bunker on Miscavige hiding [35] Mark Plummer [36] Mark Ebner [37] Karen Pressley [38] Steve Cannane [39] Fredrick Brennan [40] Clarissa Adams [41] Louise Shekter [42] John Sweeney [43] Tory Christman [44] Kate Bornstein [45] Christian Stolte [46] Mark Bunker [47] Jon Atack [48] Luke Y. Thompson [49] Mark Ebner [50] Bruce Hines [51] Spanky Taylor and Karen Pressley [51] Geoff and Robbie Levin [52] Sands Hall [53] Jonny Jacobsen [54] Sandy Holeman [55] Mark Bunker [56] Trish and Liz Conley [57] Trish Conley [58] Alex Barnes-Ross [59] Alex Barnes-Ross [60] Alex Barnes-Ross [61] Alex Barnes-Ross [62] Alex Barnes-Ross [63] Alex Barnes-Ross [64] Tory Christman [65] Tammy Synovec [66] Dennis Erlich [67] Alex Barnes-Ross [68] Valerie Ross [69] Kat in Austin [70] Mark Bunker [71] Phil Jones
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“‘Be three feet back of your head.’ Please tell me why nobody ever said this in the last ump-thousand years. This is fantastic. Because 50 percent, at least, of the people who come in and sit down, I don’t care what their age is — something like this — you say, ‘Be three feet back of your head.’ Sometimes you get the reaction, ‘Why?’ ‘Well, it might be more comfortable outside.’ ‘Might be more comfortable outside! You mean people are inside their heads!’ You would be just amazed how often one gets that reaction. One girl I know was given 125 electric shocks because the psychiatrist found she was outside of her head. Too sane for him.” — L. Ron Hubbard, October 2, 1953
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“This evening there will be a cocktail party aboard and 100+ top VIPs are expected as well as one very, very VIP person. The cocktail will be held in the main dining room and will as usual extend into the B Deck Foyer. Therefore body traffic into this area is to be kept to an absolute minimum. Male & Female occupants of B deck cabins are asked NOT to wander up the passageways and into toilets clad only in a towel during cocktail time. Remember that the VIPs will be using these heads. LAST REQUEST: Please try not to hang around the aft quarter deck or Prom decks during the cocktail — many of the guests will be taking a tour to the bridge at some time during the evening. As these requirements have been made publically known in the OODay, there will be no excuse for offenders, and I will take very strong action on any I find. Remember we are TOP EXECS of an INT BUSINESS MANAGEMENT CORP.” — Lt. N.F. Starkey, Captain, October 2, 1971
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“I aligned myself with LRH directly after I read, Scientology: A New Slant on Life. It made such sense. But why it made such sense is explained in that I am a part of a vanguard group of beings who knew that Earth is a very sick planet that will likely spread its contagious illness elsewhere if not stopped here.”
1998: A hearing was held in the Dennis Erlich case this week. Keith Henson posted a report on the proceedings. “[I] came in with Carla Oakley doing a fine job on a number of points. One which stuck in my mind (because Judge Whyte ruled against me on it) was that the courts have held that you have to look at a larger picture than just a few pages which were copyrighted as a tiny unit of something larger, and that it has been held by the courts that sometimes fair use
permits quoting the whole thing. There was considerable argument about deposing Mary Sue Hubbard. It looks possible that Judge Whyte may permit that. If so, it will have to be done fairly soon, because the pretrial conf was set for Dec. 18. The scns wanted a date after April, because Rosen is tied up in other cases till then. Dennis’ lawyers wanted one as soon as they could get it. They argued that the order Dennis is under greatly inhibits his ability to speak out against the abuses of scientology. Judge Whyte got very hot at this accusation, saying that that was not his intention. After the hearing, the judge called all the lawyers into chambers and imposed a settlement conference on them. Judge Whyte seems to have put the scns on notice that they have potential problems because of their abuse of Dennis’ civil rights when they got and then abused a civil search warrant they got from him– one which he later ruled was unconstitutional.”
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“I’ve been in a ‘Is that all there is to Scientology?’ mood lately. It comes with the territory.”
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Full Court Press: What we’re watching at the Underground Bunker
Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: Found guilty on two counts on May 31, remanded to custody. Sentenced to 30 years to life on Sep 7, 2023. DA’s response to appeal brief due August 13.
— ‘Lafayette Ronald Hubbard’ (a/k/a Justin Craig), aggravated assault, plus drug charges: Grand jury indictments include charges from an assault while in custody. Next pretrial hearing December 1.
Civil litigation:
— Leah Remini v. Scientology, alleging ‘Fair Game’ harassment and defamation: Some defamation claims were removed by Judge Hammock. Judge Hammock’s ruling is on appeal. Leah’s appeal brief was filed June 3. Respondent briefs are due September 2.
— Baxter, Baxter, and Paris v. Scientology, alleging labor trafficking: Forced to arbitration.
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson. Judge Upindra Kalra’s ruling denying Scientology’s motion to strike is on appeal. Jane Does’ response to Scientology’s appeal brief submitted July 30. Scientology’s reply due October 20.
— Jane Doe 1 v. Scientology, David Miscavige, and Gavin Potter: Case unsealed and second amended complaint filed. Scientology moves for religious arbitration, gets ruling to depose Jane Doe 1. Trial has been set for January 10, 2028.
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After the success of their double-Emmy-winning, three-season A&E series ‘Scientology and the Aftermath,’ Leah Remini and Mike Rinder continue the conversation on their podcast, ‘Scientology: Fair Game.’ We’ve created a landing page where you can hear all of the episodes so far.
LEAH REMINI: SCIENTOLOGY AND THE AFTERMATH
An episode-by-episode guide to Leah Remini’s three-season, double-Emmy winning series that changed everything for Scientology watching. Originally aired from 2016 to 2019 on the A&E network, and now on Netflix.
SCIENTOLOGY’S CELEBRITIES, from A to Z
Find your favorite Hubbardite celeb at this index page — or suggest someone to add to the list!
Other links: SCIENTOLOGY BLACK OPS: Tom Cruise and dirty tricks. Scientology’s Ideal Orgs, from one end of the planet to the other. Scientology’s sneaky front groups, spreading the good news about L. Ron Hubbard while pretending to benefit society. Scientology Lit: Books reviewed or excerpted in a weekly series. How many have you read?
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THE WHOLE TRACK
[ONE year ago] Scientology donor Rebecca Minkoff gets star turn as RHONY 15 begins
[TWO years ago] Scientology whines that the Jane Does leaked info worse than Tom Mesereau did
[THREE years ago] Clearwater CEO Joy Gendusa recorded sychophantic video for Scientology’s leader
[FOUR years ago] Academics who ignore defectors as ‘apostates’ will never see Scientology for what it is
[FIVE years ago] New in court docs: Scientology bashes victims’ rights group, trashes Mike Rinder
[SIX years ago] Scientologists led away in handcuffs after stunning evidence of fraud heard in L.A. court
[SEVEN years ago] Clear body, wiped mind: Another woman comes forward about forced abortion in Scientology
[EIGHT years ago] Another Scientologist becomes instant star with Trump supporters, this time in Puerto Rico
[NINE years ago] How Scientology plans to take over the world: By boring us to death, apparently
[TEN years ago] An email that demonstrates how much Scientology loves going after the ‘evil psychs’
[ELEVEN years ago] Q&A with Mike Rinder: Understanding the sudden changes at Scientology’s LA complex
[TWELVE years ago] FORMER SCIENTOLOGY SPOKESMAN TOMMY DAVIS SUBPOENAED BY MONIQUE RATHBUN
[THIRTEEN years ago] Scientology’s Georgia Drug Rehab Hit with Double-Barreled Media Onslaught
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Bernie Headley (1952-2019) did not see his daughter Stephanie in his final 5,667 days.
Joe Reaiche (1958-2024) did not see his daughter Alanna Masterson in his final 6,999 days.
Mike Rinder (1955-2025) did not see his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in his final 7,589 days.
Tammy Synovec has not seen her daughter Julia in 3,404 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,908 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,414 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,964 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,954 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,340 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,835 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,139 days.
Marc Headley has not seen his mother Trudy in 4,790 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 4,008 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,562 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,903 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,474 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,390 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,557 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,139 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,398 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,435 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,151 days.
Marie Poulin has not seen her mother June in 3,715 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 2,030 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,205 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,887 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,224 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 10,077 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,193 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,555 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,966 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,354 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,238 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,803 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,314 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,574 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,678 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on October 2, 2025 at 07:00
E-mail tips to tonyo94 AT gmail DOT com or follow us on Twitter. We also post updates at our Facebook author page. After every new story we send out an alert to our e-mail list and our FB page.
Our new book with Paulette Cooper, Battlefield Scientology: Exposing L. Ron Hubbard’s dangerous ‘religion’ is now on sale at Amazon in paperback and Kindle formats. Our book about Paulette, The Unbreakable Miss Lovely: How the Church of Scientology tried to destroy Paulette Cooper, is on sale at Amazon in paperback, Kindle, and audiobook versions. We’ve posted photographs of Paulette and scenes from her life at a separate location. Reader Sookie put together a complete index. More information can also be found at the book’s dedicated page.
The Best of the Underground Bunker, 1995-2024 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2024), The Village Voice (2008-2012), New Times Los Angeles (1999-2002) and the Phoenix New Times (1995-1999)
Other links: BLOGGING DIANETICS: Reading Scientology’s founding text cover to cover | UP THE BRIDGE: Claire Headley and Bruce Hines train us as Scientologists | GETTING OUR ETHICS IN: Jefferson Hawkins explains Scientology’s system of justice | SCIENTOLOGY MYTHBUSTING: Historian Jon Atack discusses key Scientology concepts | Shelly Miscavige, 15 years gone | The Lisa McPherson story told in real time | The Cathriona White stories | The Leah Remini ‘Knowledge Reports’ | Hear audio of a Scientology excommunication | Scientology’s little day care of horrors | Whatever happened to Steve Fishman? | Felony charges for Scientology’s drug rehab scam | Why Scientology digs bomb-proof vaults in the desert | PZ Myers reads L. Ron Hubbard’s “A History of Man” | Scientology’s Master Spies | The mystery of the richest Scientologist and his wayward sons | Scientology’s shocking mistreatment of the mentally ill | The Underground Bunker’s Official Theme Song | The Underground Bunker FAQ
Watch our short videos that explain Scientology’s controversies in three minutes or less…
Check your whale level at our dedicated page for status updates, or join us at the Underground Bunker’s Facebook discussion group for more frivolity.
Our non-Scientology stories: Robert Burnham Jr., the man who inscribed the universe | Notorious alt-right inspiration Kevin MacDonald and his theories about Jewish DNA | The selling of the “Phoenix Lights” | Astronomer Harlow Shapley‘s FBI file | Sex, spies, and local TV news | Battling Babe-Hounds: Ross Jeffries v. R. Don Steele
Tony Ortega at The Daily Beast
